Search soapcentral.com

The speculation over if and when Chandler Massey will exit Days of our Lives is over. The Emmy winner has now taped his final scenes, and the role of Will Horton will be recast. Massey joined DAYS in 2010 and has won two consecutive Daytime Emmys.

Chandler Massey (Will Horton) has wrapped his Emmy-winning run at Days of our Lives. The actor, who announced at this year's Daytime Emmys that he would be exiting the NBC soap at the end of his contract, has been let out of his contract early.

"I'm done. It's bittersweet," Massey told Gay Star News. "These four years have been so amazing. I've built a family here. I'm so grateful to NBC and everyone for these amazing four years. It's been my privilege and honor to work there."

The role of Will will be recast, but it will be some time before fans see a new actor in the role. Due to DAYS' production schedule, Massey will continue to air through December.

"While Days of our Lives is disappointed to lose such a talent, the show understands and supports him in his future endeavors," a Days of our Lives spokesperson told Soap Opera Digest. "Due to current storyline and the timely discovery of new talent the show feels is the right recast for Will Horton, a mutual decision has been made for the changes to take place immediately."

On Twitter, Massey added, "Thank you, thank you, and thank you. It has been such an amazing journey, and I am so grateful to have shared these four years with you all. As I move forward from Days, I will never forget the laughs we shared, the tears we shed, & the love we spread. Time to get edumacated!"

After winning his second consecutive Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Younger Actor field this past June, Massey stunned the pressroom by announcing that he was not planning to renew his contract with DAYS.

"It's been such a pleasure and a privilege working on DAYS," Massey said as he reflected on the three years he's spent on the NBC soap. "It has changed my life for the better. I came out to Los Angeles and enrolled in UCLA, and I think that after [my current contract] is up [in December], I want to go back to school. I want to graduate. I want to have a degree. I just want to keep looking forward."

Shortly thereafter, Massey said that he hoped Will would continue on in story and promised to support the show if it decided to recast the role.

"Whatever they decide to do, I'll support it," Massey told the Gay Star News. "The character is more important than the actor. He's a legacy character born on camera. I wouldn't be bitter at all if they go and recast. I don't want Will and Sonny to break up. I want them to be together forever and go off and get married. If I'm in school and not able to get back and they decide to bring someone else to play Will, I won't be upset and bitter."

"I feel so lucky I got to work with @ChandlerMassey these past two years," Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis) shared on Twitter. "It was an incredible time. I wish you all the best. You deserve it!"

"Chandler will always be a part of the Days family and we wish him nothing but continued success," a DAYS rep added.

Chandler Massey assumed the role of Will Horton in February 2010. He has won back-to-back Outstanding Younger Actor trophies at the Daytime Emmys.